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Google Maps

Add Your Application to the Developer Console​

Your application needs an API key to access the Google Maps servers. The type of key you need is an API key with restriction for Android apps. The key is free. You can use it with any of your applications that call the Google Maps Android API, and it supports an unlimited number of users.

The Google Play Developer Console is where you enable the various Google APIs for your application.

https://console.developers.google.com

  • Select your project for your application or create a new project
  • Enable the API
    • Select Library: A list of available APIs will be shown
    • Select "Google Maps Android API"
    • Click Enable
  • Create Credentials
    • Select Credentials
    • Click "Create credentials" and select "API key"
    • Copy the generated API key and use it to configure your application later

Restricting the API Key​

At this point your key can be used in any application which is great for testing. However Google suggests that you restrict your key to your application so that you can limit the requests to this API to your application. This requires limiting the key to the application id and the SHA-1 fingerprint of your signing certificate.

  • Select the API key in Credentials
  • Select "Android apps" in the Key restriction section
    • Select "Add package name and fingerprint"
    • Enter your package name eg: air.com.distriqt.test (Note the air. prefix)
    • Add the SHA-1 fingerprint of your certificate

You'll need the SHA1 fingerprint of your signing certificate here. This is the certificate you use to sign your application.

keytool -exportcert -keystore [YOUR_CERTIFICATE_PATH] -storepass [YOUR_CERT_PASSWORD]  -list -v -storetype PKCS12

If you wish to test debug builds you must use the debug certificate used in Flash Builder and enter this fingerprint here. You should update it when beta testing to your own certificate. The following command retrieves the SHA1 signature for the debug certificate used in Flash Builder (on OSX/macOS):

keytool -exportcert -keystore /Applications/Adobe\ Flash\ Builder\ 4.7/eclipse/plugins/com.adobe.flexide.multiplatform.android_4.7.0.349722/resources/debug-certificate-android.p12 -storepass debug  -list -v -storetype PKCS12

Read more about restricting the API key here